One thing that has kept the Sunnymede neighborhood so unique and desirable over the years were some of the original legal regulations set forth by Whitcomb & Keller. They didn’t set out to build cheap and sell high to make a buck. Instead, they wanted to create a community that the residence could be proud of. They refused to build low-quality homes and even set higher-value limits on how much the houses could sell for. They ensured that each house would have side yards, houses could not run up against a neighbor’s property, and despite the origins of the land, no farm animals could be kept on the property.

Most houses in Sunnymede were designed in variations of the Tudor, Period, or Colonial Revival styles. Several prominent local architects were contracted to design different homes throughout the neighborhood. Some of the more notable designers were H.R. Stapp, staff architect of the Whitcomb and Keller firm, Freyermuth and Maurer, Ivar O. Wandell, Austin and Shambleau, and Callix E. Miller.

Many of these houses can be found along Jefferson Rd. and along Wayne St. Construction along Monroe St. didn’t quite start for another 20 years or so. However, the precedent was already set by the Whitcomb and Keller firm and I think you’ll find plenty of charisma as you stroll by the many wonderful homes that adorn Monroe St. (especially at 1438 😊).